UHCL vs. Shepherd University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX with Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than Shepherd University based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 3,339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Clear Lake is located in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting); Shepherd University is in Shepherdstown, WV (Town Fringe setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shepherd University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; Shepherd University 17:1.

UHCL vs. Shepherd University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or Shepherd University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shepherd University than UHCL ($11,744 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 2.1% lower than at Shepherd University ($12,642 vs. $12,916).
• Shepherd University is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $1,286 more per year; $9,056.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at UHCL than at Shepherd University (about $2,032 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $19,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shepherd University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 53.3% larger than aid received by Shepherd University students ($12,630 vs. $8,241).

UHCL vs. Shepherd University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHCL or Shepherd University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Shepherd University and UHCL.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 50 points higher than at Shepherd University (1010).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Shepherd University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; Shepherd University 878/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; Shepherd University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; Shepherd University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Shepherd University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at UHCL (3.39).
• Shepherd University has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 31.7% at Shepherd University.

UHCL vs. Shepherd University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and Shepherd University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Shepherd University's six-year graduation rate is 46%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Shepherd University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $5,073 lower median loan debt than Shepherd University graduates ($17,150 vs. $22,223).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shepherd University graduates ($177 vs. $229).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shepherd University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.